Naughty Bucking Pony, what to do??

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coralwings20

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ok, I took on a 14.2hh pony as last chance salon for him as he is very naughty. on the ground if you lead him in anything but a bridle of a chifney he will tank off leaving you for dust, if you don't put him out first in the morning, he simply jumps out of the stable and bolts to his field. now these are issues I can work with. The issue I cannot work with is the bucking. When I first got him I rode him and he put a few small bucks in but rode it out and thought all was good. so my son decieded to pop on him tonight & he worked ok although lazy and nappy. I opened the school gate to puts the jumps away when said pony decided that he didn't want to walk anymore and charged through the gate putting 3 huge bucks in but thankgod my son is an amazing jockey and sat it out before jumping off. So I get on & he decides to bronc round the school which I sat out but left us both exhausted. It has made me rather nervy about riding him again as although I don't mind coming off, I am worried that I may do my back more injury (am due an operation). the bucking is just naughtiness and I don't want to give up on the pony.

what can I do?? am at my wits end!

btw all normal checks have been done such as saddle, back & had his teeth done last week. ridden in a grackle & french link snaffle, no martingale.

thanks in advance.
 
Well there are probably trust/separation issues with him, I would guess he's been moved about from pillar to post due to his naughtiness, so maybe not that keen on humans these days.

I would be quite tempted to see what one of those horse whisperer people have to say about him before you try much more with him. Assuming it's not going to cost a great deal of money that is. After all, there may be something very serious at the root of all his problems for which there may be no solution. :( But hopefully not :)
 
I feel for you. We went through exactly the same with our 13hh b for 2 years. He was perfect at 3.5 years but turned into an evil little git for the next 2 years. Everyone I knew told me to sell him before he killed my daughter who was 11 when it started, me or even himself. There were times when I dont know how my daughter stayed on. Once he had a broncing (these werent bucks) session at a show on a lap of honour. Another time he spent half an hour in the school trying to go up on his back legs.
I cant count how many times he was a sweetheart one minute and a raging monster for the next 20. However, if you shouted NO he would stop immediately. It was like a switch turning on and off. He also never tried to run away. When each attack stopped he would stand with his head very low position as if he was in shock.
How old is your boy - and what history do you know? Any help you can give can help with more advice.

Just to let you know there is light at the end of the tunnel. Our boy is now amazing. He is now 6 and a top trainer told me he is 'exceptional' three weeks ago. He has won everything we have entered him for since May including getting 80% in dressage, ODE, combined, sj and x-country. He also won a county workers at the end of the season.

At his worse I posted on here and got lots of help. We eventually found what his main issue was. He was very defensive in one shoulder - which is quite a colty thing. If he got as much as a trapped handful of mane or you touched him in that area he would erupt. Finding the source can be the hardest thing - but if you believe that underneath he isn't really damaged and has a nice side trying to get out finding your boys trigger is the key to moving on.
If you are prepared for many more dark days and want to stick by him I know people on here will help you.
I know this as they helped me when I really didnt know what to do next.

Good luck.
 
I have a 4 year old for a year to work with who does the same. Great to hack out but hates the school. She plants herself and refuses to go forward and if pressed, she erupts with a series of broncs, til she has ejected the rider. When she did this with me, I hopped back on, growled and got business like and pushed her into a walk and trot. After one lap, she got praised and I got off.
My feeling is that she associates the school with pointless circles and work that is difficult for her with limited balance and concentration.
So my plan for her is to do what she enjoys and is happy with -hacking over the winter. Work on balance, fitness and confidence and go back to the school in the spring after a break when she is physically and mentally better prepared.
Don't know how relevent to your situation this is, but my theory is to ignore the bad stuff, work on what is good and once the horse is settled and positive about being ridden, start anew with small steps in the school.
 
OK so there are probably three areas involved here, to a greater or lesser extent and each having impact on the other:

1. Discomfort/pain. Perhaps long ago but still remembered, or old injury or sensitivity somewhere. So he's learnt that certain things he's asked to do he's associated with pain or discomfort, and this leads into

2. Habit. He's learnt that either through pain that this is the way to rid himself of his rider, and/OR he's learnt that basically when he's done this evading behaviour, its meant that he's got his own way!

3. Fear/lack of confidence. Perhaps he has some issues relating to going forward, perhaps even bad experiences like being rapped whilst jumping, or whatever. Bucking could be another way of expressing napping, i.e. refusal to go forward or in the direction he's asked to.

I'd say forget riding him for now and go back to groundwork. Lunging, long-reining etc., to make him responsive and see what the issues are here. Also, OK so I know you've already done it, but there might be something that's been missed with regard to back/tack etc. Perhaps you need to re-think what's in his mouth?

I do think it would be valuable to get an expert to have a look at him - to get a fresh approach if nothing else, and see how you go from there.
 
I really can't see it being a pain problem as he was fine until I opened the school gate and he simply decided it was time to leave with or without his rider. I am going to ride him in a daisy rein today to stop his head touching the floor when he bucks although you are right, he could go to a hacking home but would be worried that he would be sold on as a first ridden as this is what he was previously sold as before he ended up at my yard as his last chance salon. I think he has just learnt that kids + bucking = no work so why not?? am going to take him to a dressage clinic tomorrow for some tips. xx
 
Has he ever been used in a riding school? I have had some ponies who have just got so hacked off with going round and round in circles, they have found ways to get out of it. Then obviously get sold as they are no good for beginners.

He may benefit from a winter of hacking, and maybe a bit of hunting (if you feel it would be safe) and a bit of fun.

Then I would start to do one day a week on the lunge in the school, and eventually he might forget the reasons he jacked it in the first place.
 
If he were mine I would book him in for an x-ray of his spine. I'd want to rule out kissing spines. I know he has already had his back checked but even an experienced vet would not be able to make a conclusive diagnosis without an x-ray. Good luck.
 
if it was a pain issue he would do the bucking at anytime not just when he doesn't get his own way. he has never bucked on the lunge or out hacking, he is a real confidence giver out hacking & if you are jumping him he doesn't buck - he only bucks when he feels he has done enough work and is tired. so the idea of hacking & hunting him over the winter is a fabby one and I agree that is does seem like he has been used in a riding school as is very dead to the leg and happy to follow others just doesn't like going round in circles lol.
 
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